Grand Rapids Aquarium Plan Moves On After Walker Landfill Rejected
Organizers working to build an aquarium in metro Grand Rapids have given up on a site in Walker that included an old landfill.
The vice chair of the John Ball Zoo Aquarium Committee said a review revealed the 190-acre site along the Grand River, which includes the former Fenske Landfill off Wilson Avenue, was not right for the project.
Committee Says Property Does Not Meet Needs
Vice Chair Mark Janes said the site did not satisfy the aquarium committee needs.
"Over the past year, and in partnership with community stakeholders, we have conducted due diligence on several potential sites in Kent County," Janes said in a Thursday statement. "Through this due diligence, we have determined that the Fenske property in Walker does not satisfy our needs, and we will not be pursuing a purchase of that property."
He thanked the property owner for his cooperation and patience throughout the process.
Mayor Not Surprised By Decision
Walker Mayor Gary Carey said he was not ultimately too surprised by the decision.
"I would not say it is like big news," Carey told News 8. "Not necessarily surprised, we knew there was going to be some challenges with it. But this is why you go through the due diligence and that due process."
Despite the latest outcome, Carey is still excited for the possibility of an aquarium regardless of the location.
"We are all excited about an aquarium for West Michigan, no matter where it goes," Carey said.
Site Was Under Consideration Since June
The zoo said in June of last year that it was considering the site, including investigating what remediation may require. It never bought the property, though it did produce early conceptual renderings in August showing what the aquarium could look like.
Janes said the zoo is still conducting due diligence checks on several other Kent County sites, though he did not list where those were.
"As we move forward, our work will continue to be guided by our core values of conservation, education, community, celebration and compassion in service to our mission to inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and wild places," Janes stated.
Aquarium Could Draw Millions
In a statement, Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington said the city was excited about the prospect of another transformational development project in Kent County.
The aquarium plan remains in the early stages, and it would not open until at least 2031.
Officials say it could draw 1 million visitors in its first year, plus have a $3.4 billion economic impact and generate $268 million in state and local taxes in its first decade.
"John Ball Zoo is committed to delivering a world-class aquarium to the residents of West Michigan," Janes stated.
Grand Action 2.0 Leading Project
The zoo has brought on former Grand Action Executive Director Jon Nunn to help shepherd the project along. He was with Grand Action for years as it pushed forward several major Grand Rapids sites, including DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena.
The group newest iteration, Grand Action 2.0, is behind the creation of the new Acrisure Amphitheater, which opens Friday, and Amway Stadium, which is still under construction.